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News Roundup: The Libyan War

Saturdayâ€™s mission was aimed at clearing the way for imposition of a European-led no-fly zone over the North African country. Navy Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, director of the Pentagonâ€™s Joint Staff, told reporters the Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from one British submarine and a number of American destroyers and subs.

First wave of allied assault: 112 missiles --The Pentagon spokesman said the success of the mission was not immediately clear [*duh*] adding that additional attacks would commence later. 19 Mar 2011 The Pentagon says U.S. and British ships and submarines have launched the first phase of a missile assault on Libyan air defenses, firing 112 Tomahawk cruise missiles at more than 20 targets along the coast.

Saturday’s mission was aimed at clearing the way for imposition of a European-led no-fly zone over the North African country. Navy Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, director of the Pentagon’s Joint Staff, told reporters the Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from one British submarine and a number of American destroyers and subs.

U.S. Launches Cruise Missiles Against Libyan Air Defenses 19 Mar 2011 The U.S. Navy fires the first U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles against Libyan leader's Muammar al-Qaddafi's air defenses Saturday, a military source tells Fox News. The U.S. military strikes clear the way for European and other planes to enforce a no-fly zone designed to ground Qaddafi's air force and cripple his ability to inflict further violence on rebels, U.S. officials said.

Britain strikes Libyan air defences 20 Mar 2011 British missiles have pounded Libyan air defences as military intervention kicked off, with Prime Minister David Cameron urging an end to the "appalling brutality" of Muammar Gaddafi's regime. As the action to enforce a UN resolution began, a British submarine fired Tomahawk missiles at Libyan air defence targets, as part of an attack with US forces that saw more than 110 missiles fired. The coordinated attack from ships and submarines hit more than 20 targets onshore as part of the action to stop the Libyan leader's forcescrushing an uprising, according to a top US military officer.

US Navy vessels launch missile strike against Gadhafi's limited air defenses in Libya 19 Mar 2011 The U.S. military attacked Moammar Gadhafi's air defenses Saturday with strikes along the Libyan coast that were launched by Navy vessels in the Mediterranean. A senior military official said the assault would unfold in stages and target air defense installations around Tripoli, the capital, and a coastal area south of Benghazi. That's the rebel stronghold under attack by Moammar Gadhafi's forces.

Three US submarines ready for Libya action - official 19 Mar 2011 The U.S. Navy has three submarines outfitted with Tomahawk missiles in the Mediterranean prepared to participate in operations against Libya, a U.S. defense official said on Saturday. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said three submarines, including attack submarines Newport News and the Providence, were joined by two Navy ships. The submarines were equipped with Tomahawk missiles that can cripple aircraft or anti-aircraft defenses in a no-fly operation, the official said.Clinton warns Iran over meddling in Persian Gulf [OMG!! Hello, Pot? This is Kettle...] 19 Mar 2011 U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton warned Iran on Saturday to stop meddling in Bahrain and other Arab states in the Persian Gulf, but also called on the kingdom's leaders not to use force against anti-government protesters. Clinton said the United States "has an abiding commitment to Gulf security" and that "a top priority is working together with our partners on our shared concerns about Iranian behavior in the region."

Terrorists 'R Us: Revealed: Afghan chief accused of campaign of terror is on US payroll --Witnesses back leaked UN reports detailing claims of rape and murder against feared Tajik warlord 18 Mar 2011 An Afghan warlord backed by US special forces faces persistent allegations that he launched a two-year spate of violence involving burglary, rape and murder of civilians, desecration of mosques and mutilation of corpses. Yet, despite repeated warnings about the atrocities Commander Azizullah is alleged to have committed, he has remained on the payroll of the USmilitary as an "Afghan security guard", a select band of mercenaries described by some as "the most effective fighting formation in Afghanistan".

Several dozen arrested at anti-war rally outside White House marking Iraq war anniversary 19 Mar 2011 Several dozen anti-war protesters, including the man who leaked the Pentagon Papers on the Vietnam War, have been arrested outside the White House. Saturday's arrests are part of demonstrations in Washington and throughout the country to mark the eighth anniversary of the Iraq war. The demonstrators cheered as Daniel Ellsberg, the leaker, was arrested.

Japan fights to stop meltdown 20 Mar 2011 Japanese engineers battled to avert a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant yesterday as unusually high radiation levels were recorded in food products and water for the first time. Rescue teams, including a 46-member team from SA, continued their desperate search for survivors after the earthquake and tsunami left over 7000 dead, 10000 missing and 450 000 homeless. Crews working in highly toxic conditions at the nuclear plant yesterday connected a cable which they hope will power electric pumps to cool fuel rods at risk of a catastrophic radioactive fire.

Radiation found in food as crews tend to reactor 20 Mar 2011 Japanese crews fighting to cool overheating reactors laid a power line into a stricken nuclear power plant yesterday as the government revealed abnormal levels of radioactivity in milk and spinach. The Fukushima No 1 plant was crippled nine days ago by a terrifying earthquake and tsunami which, according to the latest police tally, left at least 18000 dead or missing in Japan's worst natural disaster since 1923. Just under 7200 were confirmed killed, lost to the tsunami or interred in the wreckage of buildings.Unemployment rises in nearly all metro areas --Unemployment rose in nearly all of the 372 largest U.S. cities in January compared to the previous month 18 Mar 2011 Unemployment rose in nearly all of the 372 largest U.S. cities in January compared to the previous month, mostly because of seasonal changes such as the layoff of temporary retail employees hired for the holidays. The Labor Department said Friday that the unemployment rate rose in 351 metro areas, fell in only 16, and was unchanged in 5. That's worse than December, when the rate fell in 207 areas and increased in 122.

Berlin's polar bear star Knut dies 19 Mar 2011 Knut the polar bear, who became a global media sensation as a cub after being rejected by his mother and reared by hand, died suddenly for unexplained reasons on Saturday, the Berlin Zoo said. Knut, who shot to fame as a highly photogenic, snow-white cub in 2007, was aged just four years and three months, well below the average life expectancy for polar bears of around 35. He was found floating dead on Saturday afternoon in the enclosure he shared with three other bears including his mother Tosca.